The Brent Tate-Josh Reynolds incident from Origin I refuses to fade away, with Sam Thaiday defending the Queensland winger amid suggestions he was out of line to speak out over the dangerous throw.

In a heated aftermath to the epic series opener, Tate said he had never been more frightened on the field as he was upended by Reynolds and Beau Scott at Suncorp Stadium.

Scott pleaded guilty to a grade one charge but Reynolds, hit with a grade two, managed to have his charge downgraded and will be free to play in the second game at ANZ Stadium in a fortnight.

The decision sparked furious debate about the NRL's apparent crackdown on lifting tackles, while Tate was attacked for voicing his concerns and using the example of Newcastle player Alex McKinnon, who made a paraplegic earlier in the season after having his neck injured in a dangerous tackle.

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A number of commentators and NSW players have suggested Tate should have kept his opinions to himself, while Reynolds' father Robbie lashed the veteran Maroons for citing the McKinnon incident.

"Bringing up Alex McKinnon, that was disgraceful," Robbie Reynolds said. "The McKinnons are still going through a lot of pain and to be rehashing that, bringing his name into it every time there's a bad tackle, I feel sorry for his family."

Thaiday missed Origin I with a calf injury but was at the game and didn't hesitate to defend Tate, a veteran of 21 Origin matches and 26 Test matches, along with 218 NRL appearances.

He said it was 'silly' that Tate had been painted as the villain in the whole affair and he should be applauded for speaking up about one of the game's most delicate issues.

"He was put in a dangerous position and he’s [Tate] got every right to have his say. He was the player that was put in that position. Well done and good on him for speaking up," Thaiday said.

"He has suffered from neck injuries in the past and as it has been shown this year, one tackle can really change someone’s career, change someone’s life.

"It’s a bit silly that people are blowing up that someone spoke up and voiced their opinion. I think it’s that NSW-Qld rivalry coming out."

Many NSW fans took the whip to Tate on social media and in comment forums, calling him a 'sook' for his comments, while former NSW prop Steve Roach said Origin was 'supposed to be hard'.

Thaiday said it was ludicrous to question Tate's toughness, given his litany of injuries including a serious neck injury.

"If anything, people should know and have seen Tatey work so hard to even be out there playing. And he’s not a whinger, he’s not a sook, he’s a very tough player to even be playing rugby league anymore," Thaiday said.

"There was a time when his career was over and done with and to be fighting back and playing State of Origin football, it’s all credit to him and his hard work."

Thaiday delivered 40 quality minutes in Brisbane's win over Manly on Sunday afternoon and a similar hit-out against the Raiders on Monday night will see him walk back into the Queensland side for game two.

Josh Papalii looks the man under the most pressure to retain his place on the Queensland bench, with selectors seriously considering the return of Titans man-mountain Dave Taylor.

There has been good news on the injury front for Mal Meninga, who could have everyone bar Cooper Cronk (broken arm) available as the Maroons try to level the series at one-all.